"But I don't contemplate that," said Lloyd, very calmly; "I'd fizzle out at that. This gentleman, if he accepts, will seem to the world to be my secretary, but in private life he will be my tutor, and live with me in my house."
Mrs. Laniston looked bewildered.
"But I should think that would be more expensive than a regular university course."
Mr. Dalton smiled and beamed, and tapped the letter against the sheaf he was sorting.
"A good bit of money goes with the real estate. Mr. Lloyd thinks he can afford to put himself on a level in culture with his station."
"Very praiseworthy," said the prig.
"I haven't the proper foundation for the classics," explained Lloyd. "I propose that this gent shall read with me. Hist'ry is the racket I care most for. When I performed with a circus company I travelled with through Europe, I saw enough to excite my wonder, and I jus' wondered, an' wondered. Now I want to know. And the poets and general literachure! My father used to read a great deal of such stuff when his health had disabled him, and I am going to travel right along the road he took, and read the words he read, and dream the dreams he dreamed. I never had the time before. I'm strong on the common rudiments—readin' and writin' and arithmetic."
"A very fair accountant," Mr. Dalton commended the meritorious attainment.
"Oh, yes; kept the books of the company."
"'Greatest show——'" suggested Mr. Dalton, dimpling.